There was a bit of excitement at work today, when an NUS Conference suddenly got disrupted by some “Free Palastine” protesters. The usurpers had invaded the stage, and even though the candidates were on a tight deadline wanting to finish in time to see the inaugauration of Obama, the disgruntled activists refused to leave the before being heard out by, erm… the NUS.
Although it is impossible to criticize the sentiment (it’s always great to see any sort of protest in these times of such political lethargy), I also cannot help but question the real consequential value of this protest at such a forum. The NUS are the only group to hire the hall and insist a ban on the sales of all Nestle products. They are the only venue hirers who have one of the toilets labeled up for “Gender Nuetral” use only.
With such a sympathetic nature in mind, I reckon it is highly unlikely that many candidates actually had secret desires to ensure the repression of Palastine. Frankly, it is a wasted opportunity. Especially when Roy Chubby Brown is scheduled to perform in the same venue later in the year. He’s famed for hating any interruptions. He’d have been off in the stage seconds, making way for a clear forum for the protesters.
You’d assume an audience of dogs, who’d been panting in anticipation for a fat man to come and swear at them, would be in much greater need of political enlightenment than a load of students. If the protesters had managed to arouse mass political action from THAT crowd, it would be a remarkable protest indeed!
Incidentally - if anyone from the NUS is reading this, please let me assure you that I only ever compose this blog using recycled webpages.
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